A Double-Edged Sword? The Consequences of Work-Related Instant Messaging Use for Employees

Amid growing concerns about employee misconduct within private WhatsApp groups, this study captures the dual nature of work-related group chats on external instant messaging platforms. We distinguish between employees’ prosocial (e.g., information sharing) and antisocial (e.g., bullying) work-related instant messaging use. In addition, we examine the positive (i.e., resources) and negative (i.e., demands) consequences of this use for employee well-being, operationalized as work engagement and exhaustion. Data were collected from 383 Belgian and 375 U.S. employees via an online survey and analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results show that antisocial work-related instant messaging is relatively rare. Yet, it is associated with reduced communication efficiency, increased co-worker conflicts and work-life tensions, which in turn relate to lower work engagement and higher exhaustion. Prosocial work-related instant messaging use is generally linked to better co-worker communication and relationships, which enhance work engagement and reduce exhaustion. However, these findings proved to be partially culture-bound.